Thompson Concedes

Democratic Sen. Antoine Thompson, D-Buffalo, conceded this morning in his re-election bid, one of three previously undecided Senate races that will determine control of the chamber in January.

“I thank the residents of the 60th Senatorial District for allowing me to serve them for four years – a duty that I took very seriously and an experience for which I am extremely grateful,” Thompson said in a statement this morning. “I thank the many community partners who I’ve had the pleasure of working with side-by-side for a better 60th District. Together, we accomplished monumental successes in the areas of economic development, education and the environment.”

As of yesterday afternoon, Thompson said it was “too premature” to say whether he would concede to Republican Mark Grisanti, saying he might push for a full recount. But as the sides headed to court this morning, Thompson and Democrats appeared resigned to packing it in, as WGRZ reported last night. He trailed Grisanti by 527 votes.

Thompson’s concession gives Republicans 31 seats in the 62-member chamber, with two races still undecided—one in Long Island and one in Westchester County.

“I congratulate Mark Grisanti on his hard-fought victory in the 60th Senate District, and welcome him as part of our new Republican majority in the state Senate,” Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, said in a statement.

“Mark deserves credit for standing up for Western New York, and for running a strong and successful campaign. There are many other individuals who also played key roles in this extraordinary victory, starting with my friend and colleague Senator (George) Maziarz.”

As of yesterday, Sen. Suzi Oppenheimer, D-Mamaroneck, Westchester County, held a 325-vote lead and she is expected to win. But Republicans are banking on winning the Long Island seat held by Democrat Sen. Craig Johnson, who trailed Republican challenger Jack Martins by 431 votes.

Democrats are seeking a hand recount in Johnson’s race, but it’s undetermined whether it will occur. Newsday reported this morning that Republicans are fighting a judge’s request of a hand count of more than 80,000 ballots cast in the race.